Postdoctoral Research Associate I, Exoplanet Atmospheres & Machine Learning
Posting Number: req21011
Department: Steward Observatory
Location: Main Campus
Address: Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The University of Arizona (UA) Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory (SO) are excited to invite applications for Postdoctoral Research Associates interested in research related to the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres through transmission spectroscopy and machine learning.As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you will work in the research group of Prof. Daniel Apai and support an equitable scholarly environment in research, mentoring, and service. Your work will focus on analyzing and interpreting time-resolved spectroscopic observations of exoplanets and host stars with the goal to extract the maximum information content.
Throughout your postdoctoral journey you will be able to apply for time on any Steward facility directly as a PI.
UA/SO offers a world-class research environment in space science and astrophysics with strong interdisciplinary programs across the Departments of Astronomy, Physics, Optical Sciences, and Planetary Sciences. We provide direct access to various world-class observational and computational facilities for ground-based radio and optical observing.
Target start date is March 2025.
Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead the data reduction and analysis of time-resolved spectrophotometric observations of transiting exoplanets and host stars, obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Pandora SmallSat space telescope.
- Adopt and use state-of-the-art analytical and modeling methods, including Machine Learning-based techniques (when appropriate).
- Develop integrated, multi-component stellar photosphere/planetary atmosphere models to model and interpret the entangled signal and derive the maximum information content possible from the observations.
- Study population-level trends in stellar activity, photospheric heterogeneity, and planetary properties.
- Lead and contribute to follow-up proposals for the James Webb Space Telescope.
- Collaborate with faculty and scholars in support of an inclusive academic environment (including organizing collaborative meetings, supervising/mentoring graduate and undergraduate students).
- Additional duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Must have completed all the requirements for a
PhD. in Astronomy, Physics, Astrophysics, or related science at the time of
hire.
Preferred Qualifications
- Candidates with a PhD in physics, astronomy, astrophysics are preferred.
- Research experience relevant to one or more of the following scientific areas: Exoplanet atmospheres, stellar activity, time-resolved photometry/spectrophotometry, comparison of data and high-dimensionality models, stellar photospheres.
FLSA: Exempt
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40
Job FTE: 1
Work Calendar: Fiscal
Job Category: Research
Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay: DOE
Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies: 1
Contact Information for Candidates
Prof. Dániel Apai, Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences
Email: apai@arizona.edu
520-621-6534
Open Until Filled: Yes
Documents Needed to Apply: Curriculum Vitae (CV), Cover Letter, and Two Additional Documents
Special Instructions to Applicant
Along with your applications, please submit the following:
1. CV (including names and contact for three references)
2. Cover Letter (limit: 2 pages)
3. Research Statement (limit: 3 pages)
4. List of Publications
Diversity Statement
At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.
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